The Calgary Flames entered Friday night hoping for a win against (another) one of the NHL's lowliest squads, the Florida Panthers. Despite being out-shot and out-scored in the first period at home once again, the Flames battled back and transformed what was originally a dull and plodding affair through 20 minutes into a rather spirited hockey match.

And that's not even including the occasional comedy (on both ends of the ice) in the defensive zone. The Flames skated away with a 4-3 shootout victory. Here's a look at how it happened.

THE RUNDOWN

The first period was a pretty low-event twenty minutes of hockey. The highlights included three Flames defensive-zone penalties, including the first infractions of the year for Sean Monahan and T.J. Brodie. The Panthers couldn't muster much on their first period power-plays (they officially generated zero shots in six minutes of PP time), but they did get comfortable in the Flames zone. That comfort level aided them, as they finally broke the dead-lock near the end of the period. Nick Bjugstad won a offensive-zone face-off clean and drew it back to Tom Gilbert, whose knuckle-puck eluded Reto Berra and put the Cats up 1-0. The Panthers lead the Flames in the first period in shots (9-3), shot attempts (17-9), face-off wins (12-5) and goals (1-0).

The second period began much like the first, a rather low-event, plodding affair. However, the Flames began to find their footing and by the end of it, the ice had tilted decidedly towards the home squad. The Flames tied the game up with a scrambly goal, with David Jones eating up a Panthers turn-over and feeding Joe Colborne for the local boy's third goal of the season. Soon after that, the Flames took the lead on the power-play. With Shawn Matthias in the sin bin for a hooking call, Calgary cycled the puck rather well. With Colborne parked in front of Tim Thomas, a T.J. Brodie point shot resulted in a ginormous rebound, which ended up on Sven Baertschi's stick. The Swiss product buried the shot for his second goal of the season and gave the Flames a 2-1 lead.

The Flames had more pressure on the Panthers late, but couldn't capitalize. In the second frame, the Flames lead in shots (11-7), but Florida retained the advantage in shot attempts (20-18) and face-offs (8-7). But the Flames were opportunistic when they had to be and entered the final frame with a lead.

The third period featured more action. Blair Jones, fresh from tearing up the American Hockey League, put the Flames up by two goals via a beautiful feed by Lance Bouma. Mikael Backlund and Bouma combined for some great fore-checking pressure on a line-change, and all Jones had to do was creep into the slot and deposit the puck into the open net. The two-goal lead proved to the most dangerous in hockey, though. A blocked shot at the point in the Florida zone sent the puck careening towards Reto Berra, with Shawn Matthias primed for a breakway chance. Berra skated to the blueline and poked the puck away from Matthias...and right to Jimmy Hayes, the trailing man on the rush. Whoops.

And the lead evaporated completely when a clearing attempt by the Flames careened back into their zone off of a player, leaving the Flames out-numbered 3-on-2 (with the remaining bodies being tired ones). Marcel Goc took advantage and fired the puck home to tie the game at three. The game went to overtime, which solved nothing. Through 65 minutes, the Flames were narrowly out-shot 26-24, out-attempted 64-40 and lost the face-off battle by a 34-24 margin.

We went to the shootout, where it took six rounds to clinch it for the hometown side. Jiri Hudler, Mike Cammalleri and, of course, Sean Monahan scored during the shootout for Calgary - Monahan with the winner - while Brad Boyes and Thomas Fleischmann scored for the Panthers.

WHY THE FLAMES WON

The usual suspects didn't provide much offense in the game, but the team's secondary scoring reared its head throughout this game. I mean, seriously, Blair Jones scored. That's pretty good for scoring depth.

In addition, despite getting out-played in the first, and getting sloppy in their own zone in the third, they managed to ride out the storm and get two points. They faced some adversity throughout the game, some by their own devices, but they didn't let it kill them.

SCORING CHANCES

Team

Period

Time

Note

Home

Away

State

Away

1

19:43

Gilbert

4

7

13

18

22

29

16

19

24

34

51

77

5v5

Away

1

17:52

Huberdeau PP

6

11

22

29

44

11

14

27

34

44

51

4v5

Home

1

16:20

Hudler

4

6

23

24

29

47

12

18

21

22

34

97

5v5

Away

1

15:34

Boyes

7

8

17

29

44

54

16

19

24

34

51

77

5v5

Away

1

10:11

Kulikov PP

3

6

17

19

29

7

11

14

27

34

97

4v5

Away

1

4:50

Bjugstad

6

8

17

29

44

54

11

14

27

34

51

77

5v5

Away

1

2:56

Campbell PP

3

17

18

29

44

7

11

14

27

34

51

4v5

Away

1

1:08

Huberdeau rebound

3

18

19

23

29

44

7

11

14

27

34

44

5v5

Away

2

17:56

3

8

17

29

54

55

20

22

23

34

57

97

5v5

Away

2

17:31

Hayes tip

3

8

17

29

54

55

12

20

22

23

34

97

5v5

Home

2

17:31

Russell

3

8

17

29

54

55

12

20

22

23

34

97

5v5

Away

2

15:20

Bjugstad

4

6

19

23

24

29

7

11

14

27

34

44

5v5

Home

2

13:41

McGrattan

4

7

11

16

29

47

12

18

21

22

34

51

5v5

Away

2

12:17

Bjugstad

4

13

18

22

29

44

7

11

24

27

34

44

5v5

Home

2

11:00

Colborne goal

3

8

17

29

54

55

20

22

23

34

57

77

5v5

Home

2

7:57

Baertschi goal PP

6

7

8

29

47

54

14

22

27

34

44

5v4

Home

2

3:41

Baertschi PP

6

8

13

29

47

54

19

22

27

34

51

5v4

Away

2

2:31

Fleischmann

3

11

13

19

29

55

11

14

27

34

51

77

5v5

Home

2

0:34

Baertschi

3

23

24

29

44

47

12

18

20

34

51

77

5v5

Home

2

0:08

Monahan

3

23

24

29

44

47

18

20

34

51

57

77

5v5

Home

3

14:21

B. Jones goal

4

7

11

17

19

29

7

16

19

24

34

44

5v5

Away

3

12:58

Hayes goal

3

23

24

29

47

55

7

20

23

34

57

97

5v5

Home

3

9:56

Baertschi

4

7

13

23

29

47

18

20

34

44

57

97

5v5

Away

3

7:40

Upshall

3

8

17

29

44

54

7

14

16

19

34

97

5v5

Away

3

6:00

Goc goal

6

13

18

22

29

44

7

20

23

34

44

57

5v5

Home

3

4:29

Cammalleri

3

13

18

22

29

44

19

20

23

34

51

77

5v5

Home

3

2:06

Russell

3

23

24

29

44

47

7

20

23

34

57

97

5v5

Home

4

2:25

Russell

4

7

18

22

29

16

24

34

51

77

4v4

Away

4

1:24

Matthias

3

6

23

24

29

7

11

18

34

44

4v4

#

Player

EV

PP

SH

3

SMID, LADISLAV

17:47

6

7

00:00

0

0

04:56

0

2

4

RUSSELL, KRIS

23:44

5

3

01:46

0

0

00:53

0

0

6

WIDEMAN, DENNIS

14:18

1

4

02:08

2

0

03:28

0

2

7

BRODIE, TJ

21:34

4

2

01:00

1

0

02:22

0

0

8

COLBORNE, JOE

11:22

2

5

01:28

2

0

00:53

0

0

11

BACKLUND, MIKAEL

07:53

2

1

00:06

0

0

02:31

0

1

13

CAMMALLERI, MIKE

17:02

2

4

02:54

1

0

02:20

0

0

16

MCGRATTAN, BRIAN

04:18

1

0

00:00

0

0

00:00

0

0

17

BOUMA, LANCE

12:54

3

5

00:00

0

0

01:48

0

2

18

STAJAN, MATT

17:31

2

4

00:00

0

0

02:52

0

1

19

JONES, BLAIR

10:45

1

3

00:06

0

0

01:47

0

1

22

STEMPNIAK, LEE

16:14

2

3

02:12

0

0

03:31

0

1

23

MONAHAN, SEAN

14:52

5

4

02:20

0

0

00:00

0

0

24

HUDLER, JIRI

15:15

4

3

02:12

0

0

00:35

0

0

29

BERRA, RETO

11

13

2

0

0

3

44

BUTLER, CHRIS

18:08

4

6

00:00

0

0

04:49

0

2

47

BAERTSCHI, SVEN

12:54

6

1

01:42

2

0

00:35

0

0

54

JONES, DAVID

11:47

2

5

01:36

2

0

00:00

0

0

55

O'BRIEN, SHANE

10:32

2

4

00:00

0

0

00:00

0

0

Period

Totals

EV

PP

5v3 PP

SH

5v3 SH

1

1

7

1

4

0

0

0

0

0

3

0

0

2

7

5

5

5

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

3

4

3

4

3

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

4

1

1

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

RED WARRIOR

Hometown boy Joe Colborne has looked more and more at ease in the Flames line-up. He had two points tonight and won 54% of his face-offs. Good enough for me!

SUM IT UP

The Flames weathered the storm once again and managed to pick up a victory. Now they boast an 8-11-4 record through 23 games. They're in action next on Wedensday, when they host the defending Stanley Cup Champions. It's the last four-day gap between games before the Olympics, so we all better make the most of it.

Ryan Pike has covered the Calgary Flames since 2010. A Calgary native who writes for FlamesNation and The Hockey Writers, he's often at Flames games and practices, just trying to capture the spirit of the thing. Ask him about his Corsi.

Everytime I watch a flames game lately I want to puke....the only bright spot is that we will get a top 3 pick this year. A 6 overall pick this year will look nothing like Monahan.
WW

Your TV remote has an off button, correct? If the Flames are that offensive, you could turn off your TV, couldn't you?

Hate to break it to you, but...year one of the rebuild. It's going to get worse. For me, watching the ups and downs as they get better over the next few years is going to be a very entertaining ride, if you let it.

That Colborne guy is starting to look like a steal for the price of a 4th round pick. I think Burkie is right: he may turn into an above-average third-line center. Heck, imo, he may even peak as a second-line center if those flashes of high-end skill become more consistent over the course of his first full year as an NHLer.

It might also be time to give him some more d-zone starts to bring down that 60% OZ/DZ stat.

p.s. If we end up with a top three pick, do we target a first-pairing d-man like Ekbald or Mckeown, or grab yet another center with first line potential in the form of Reinhart or Nylander?

I did not watch the game( I only caught some of the highlights/lowlights) so my comments maybe way off and I'm prepared to take some Heat for my comments.

1. Instead of calling Berra; Yogi, should we not change his name to Boo Boo.
2. After last night is it not time for the Park Ranger to give someone else a chance to protect the picnic basket for about a 5 game stretch.
3. Nice to see BJones score a goal but how was the rest of his game?
4. Did Sven and Backs play well enough to keep out of the doghouse till the next game.
5. How did the McG play, did have to enforce the law on any of those dirty players from the Gator province?

Actually I have another question that I can't seem to get answered. What exactly is wrong with Sieloff? The Flame made such a big deal of him being ready to be a pro at the end of the preseason and he has only played 2 games for the Heat. We all know he had the broken cheek bone in the preseason, has he had complications? Another injury? I have spent a fair bit of time listening and reading about the Heat and have no idea perhaps one of our scribes could fill me in.

So I'm gathering by this reply he did have a fight. Was it a meaningful, ie did the guy he fight goon someone earlier in the game or a reaction fight where the two guys hit each other in the corner and they had an instant hate on or was it once again one of those meaningless I'm a tough guy fights and I have to fight to prove I belong fights so that I can justify my 5 minutes of game because I can't play a regular shift fights.

Actually I have another question that I can't seem to get answered. What exactly is wrong with Sieloff? The Flame made such a big deal of him being ready to be a pro at the end of the preseason and he has only played 2 games for the Heat. We all know he had the broken cheek bone in the preseason, has he had complications? Another injury? I have spent a fair bit of time listening and reading about the Heat and have no idea perhaps one of our scribes could fill me in.

I asked about this earlier in the week and the reply was he has an infection and is still in Calgary. No word on whether he's day to day, week to week or his career is over.

That Colborne guy is starting to look like a steal for the price of a 4th round pick. I think Burkie is right: he may turn into an above-average third-line center. Heck, imo, he may even peak as a second-line center if those flashes of high-end skill become more consistent over the course of his first full year as an NHLer.

It might also be time to give him some more d-zone starts to bring down that 60% OZ/DZ stat.

p.s. If we end up with a top three pick, do we target a first-pairing d-man like Ekbald or Mckeown, or grab yet another center with first line potential in the form of Reinhart or Nylander?

Given that the success rate for 4th round picks is infinitesimal, when Colbourne arrived and demonstrated a pulse he essentially covered the bet.

"p.s. If we end up with a top three pick, do we target a first-pairing d-man like Ekbald or Mckeown, or grab yet another center with first line potential in the form of Reinhart or Nylander?"

I think it depends far less on their position and far more on what the scouts think the upside of each player is.

Reinhart intrigues me (ditto Nylander) because you can really never have enough skill pivots, and should you develop a large crop of them they are an easy currency to translate into whatever else you need.

Strategically, it might make more sense to draft a center regardless. Even if Ekblad is a true #1 stud defender, he likely won't reach his peak years for another 5-6 seasons, whereas a C would be productive sooner, and as such the rebuild will take off faster, or, that player can be used to bring in a defender whose maturity matches better the core we currently have.

One of the problems the Oilers have in their rebuild is that while they have a very nice group of forwards developing the D-men are all in a cluster a few years behind and even further behind in development. By the time a guy like Kleffbom is ready to play on the top pairing Hall and Eberle will be looking at new contracts.

If Calgary were to make Ekblad a key part of the rebuild it would stretch the time line out considerably.

On the flip side, a true #1 D-man, whatever his development time-table, can give you almost 2 decades of stability anchoring your defense core.

"p.s. If we end up with a top three pick, do we target a first-pairing d-man like Ekbald or Mckeown, or grab yet another center with first line potential in the form of Reinhart or Nylander?"

I think it depends far less on their position and far more on what the scouts think the upside of each player is.

Reinhart intrigues me (ditto Nylander) because you can really never have enough skill pivots, and should you develop a large crop of them they are an easy currency to translate into whatever else you need.

Strategically, it might make more sense to draft a center regardless. Even if Ekblad is a true #1 stud defender, he likely won't reach his peak years for another 5-6 seasons, whereas a C would be productive sooner, and as such the rebuild will take off faster, or, that player can be used to bring in a defender whose maturity matches better the core we currently have.

One of the problems the Oilers have in their rebuild is that while they have a very nice group of forwards developing the D-men are all in a cluster a few years behind and even further behind in development. By the time a guy like Kleffbom is ready to play on the top pairing Hall and Eberle will be looking at new contracts.

If Calgary were to make Ekblad a key part of the rebuild it would stretch the time line out considerably.

On the flip side, a true #1 D-man, whatever his development time-table, can give you almost 2 decades of stability anchoring your defense core.

It all depends on how impatient you are.

It's really a tough call. At this point, let's say (for the sake of a hypothetical) we pick first overall - therefore making any of Reinhart, Nylander, or Ekblad available.

I think you're correct in saying that big, skilled centres are a valuable commodity, that are very difficult to obtain. I would also argue that they are extremely difficult to get outside of the first round of the draft. Therefore, I'm not sure you can pass up on Monahan-Reinhart/Nylander as a potential top-two centres, regardless of where they settle.

For defensemen, I think you over-estimate the development part of your assessment. I'm not saying it's not a factor, but based on where this team is, I don't think you can afford to play either the long-game or the short-game. It all has to be about who fits in, where, regardless of development time. While I do agree with your comment about the Oilers, I think you overlook how often a perceived "top-two defenceman" doesn't turn out to be a top-two defenceman once that development is over.

That said, I personally think Ekblad is a great pick - there's a decent chance that his development doesn't take the full five to seven years that is deemed "traditional". Defenders seem to be making the leap much earlier than in the "old NHL" (see, Ekman-Larsson, Subban, Doughty, Karlsson, etc. (perfect defensemen? no, but they are game-breakers)). Part of this, in my opinion, comes from the way the NHL has changed in the last half-decade. Your modern defenseman now has to be athletic first and foremost, with excellent mobility, passing, and thinking. The 'big-body' presence is now quaternary to other aspects of the game - granted, you still need shutdown guys, but not necessarily out of the first round.

So yes, it's a very tough call. In the hypothetical where you get to choose whomever you want, I think the centre is the way to go IMO - as I still think we need forward depth over defensive depth. That said, in reality, either of the three are a great pick, and as I mentioned above, I really really really like Ekblad's game - and I hope the Oilers or Canucks don't somehow snag the kid.

"For defensemen, I think you over-estimate the development part of your assessment. I'm not saying it's not a factor, but based on where this team is, I don't think you can afford to play either the long-game or the short-game. It all has to be about who fits in, where, regardless of development time. While I do agree with your comment about the Oilers, I think you overlook how often a perceived "top-two defenceman" doesn't turn out to be a top-two defenceman once that development is over."

Not much I disagree with in your assesment. D-men are trickier to project out;

Top end defenders at draft time, but in each case they either plateaued at a level below 'elite' (Hamrlik, Jovo-cop, Phillips), took a detour because of injury (Berard, Johnson), or have stretched their development period past just a couple of seasons (Hedman, Larson).

The exceptions, guys like Pietrangelo, Doughty, and Karlsson (though the latter was a mid round pick, not a top end guy), are like gold, because they are elite, and becaue they hit their stride early on.

All told, the forwards are easier to predict and as such, they make the safer bet.

That all said however, I would not be adverse to taking Ekblad. He looks all the part of a Rob Blake style defender. The kind of guy your d-core can be built around for years.

There is also the possibility of moving back in the draft from a #1 or #2 overall, if the scouts are high on one or two D-men and some later picks.

If someone offered the Flames something like #6, #22, & #28 for a top 2 pick, I think you have to give it some serious consideration. That same offer from Feaster to COL was rejected last summer, will be interesting in the coming years to revisit that offer to see if the Flames are better off with the players they got or if MacKinnon was truely the gem of the draft.

There is also the possibility of moving back in the draft from a #1 or #2 overall, if the scouts are high on one or two D-men and some later picks.

If someone offered the Flames something like #6, #22, & #28 for a top 2 pick, I think you have to give it some serious consideration. That same offer from Feaster to COL was rejected last summer, will be interesting in the coming years to revisit that offer to see if the Flames are better off with the players they got or if MacKinnon was truely the gem of the draft.

Having said that, it is never "wrong" to take a big/skilled C.

I'd think very hard about taking that deal, especially if Jake Virtanen were available at 6.

However, a weak draft (which the one we face likely is), isn't the right time to be trading down as we might leave one of the few legit high-end players in someone elses' hands for the priviledge of drafting 3 thuds.

I'd think very hard about taking that deal, especially if Jake Virtanen were available at 6.

However, a weak draft (which the one we face likely is), isn't the right time to be trading down as we might leave one of the few legit high-end players in someone elses' hands for the priviledge of drafting 3 thuds.

I wouldn't do it at this point in the rebuild. I agree that you need to get the 'elite level' talent at this point.

That said, if I were at the point where Colorado was last year, I'd probably take that deal.

"we might leave one of the few legit high-end players in someone elses' hands for the priviledge of drafting 3 thuds."

Agreed, we know from past Flame picks that those #22 & 28 picks are usually not game breakers (and often not even NHLers). We even struck out twice with #6 overall. Probably more realistic to expect a package that includes a #3 or #4 overall in 2014 and/or perhaps a package including a 2015 first rounder (from a weak organization) might be tempting to move down/if the offers are there.

I wouldn't do it at this point in the rebuild. I agree that you need to get the 'elite level' talent at this point.

That said, if I were at the point where Colorado was last year, I'd probably take that deal.

Agree. What I would consider is if we were offered a 5th or 6th & a 22-23year old up & coming Dman for that top 1-2 pick.

Jones seems to be playing pretty good in Nashville & Murray in Columbus is making Oiler fans wish they scooped him instead of Yakapoo.

I'm not having any problems watching the Flames this year, yes we have a long way to go, but this is kinda of fun watching them develop something. Next year if we see Johnny G & Arnold & Knight & Seiloff with the big team, it'll be even more fun knowing we are a step closer to turning this team into a real fun team to watch & get excited about.

Thank you for your optimistic response. I am in consensus with you and appreciate the rebuild. The kids are doing their best; and they were ahead at one point in time....Obviously, there were a couple of rocky roads; but the kids stuck up together and aimed for the two points. A great effort by all the net connectors.....and to those who played with fire by blocking shots. I think the team needs to an applause......Go Flames Go!

I am uncertain whether Berra's decision had been right but all goalies make identical decisions with the hope to challenge the shooter. Nevertheless, would he have saved the goal by staying between the pipes intead?

If so, yeah, he made the right decision on that one. The execution, not so much. I mean, that puck gets outside the blueline (which is the goal there), there's no goal. However, if he lets that player come in on a breakaway, he's picked his poison.

Im tired of oiler fans calling us flamers even though its not much of an insult
I think its time we had one for them : edmoton SOILERS to all my flames nation kin spread the word lol SOILERS!!(as in they soil there diapers) lol
Any other ideas let me know go flames future looks good

He he ya it was kinda funny he will learn first few games in north america has some potentail for sure . They should still give ramo some more games he was pkaying against some top teams a was pretty good

Im tired of oiler fans calling us flamers even though its not much of an insult
I think its time we had one for them : edmoton SOILERS to all my flames nation kin spread the word lol SOILERS!!(as in they soil there diapers) lol
Any other ideas let me know go flames future looks good

Im happy with the picks so far.calgarys scouting and drafting have done a good job last couple years. I can remeber for sure but didnt they hire new scouting a few years ago? but 90% of flames picks are doing very well and cal is moving uo the ladder fast for having a lot of potential prospects. I think abbottsford heat are proving that by leading the ahl and its the youngest farm team ive seen with the best numbers ive ever seen. im enjoying the rebuild and it looks like it could b quick and a blueprint for nhl rebuild these rookies are getting better and better fast and cal has been pretty consistant staying in games only been beat bad twice. Not bad for rookies